Most people, when they think of narrow-gauge steam railways, think quite rightly of the scenic lines in north and central Wales. Substitute the Chiltern Hills for Snowdonia, and you have one of the finest narrow-gauge lines (rails 2ft apart) in England, and much more accessible for many people.
By why narrow-gauge, and why in Bedfordshire? As with so many other things, the answer lies in the First World War. A massive network of 2ft gauge lines was built to supply the men in the trenches, leading to a big war-surplus sale at the end of the conflict. At the same time, the output from the sand quarries north of Leighton Buzzard increased massively due to industrial demand, and was wrecking the local roads. The solution was a light railway, built from war-surplus materials, and opened in 1919.
The line survived closure in the 1960s by being taken over by a group of volunteers, who saw its potential as a visitor attraction and working museum. Since then, they have completely rebuilt the track, and assembled an extensive collection of locomotives, coaches and wagons from all over then world.
The line offers a very different experience of railway travel. It follows the lie of the land, and so has sharp corners, steep gradients lots of level crossings, and parallel running alongside local roads. Its locomotive collection dates back to 1877, and includes some which actually worked on the Western Front. There is a display of narrow-gauge materials at the Stonehenge Works terminus, out in the Bedfordshire countryside. The round trip from Page's Park to Stonehenge Works takes 1hr 10min, and is taken at a very sedate pace. Close to major attractions such as Woburn, Whipsnade and Bletchley Park, if you want to make a day of it.
Dating from 1877, vertical-boilered "Chaloner" was built in 1877 for service in the slate industry.
The train next door. WW1 veteran steam loco No 778 contrasts with the much newer housing hat surrounds part of the line.
A German steam locomotive from the First World War is on display at Stonehenge Works terminal
We get on TV, too. Presenter Liz Bonnin visited to do a piece on slippery rails, on a day when no other trains were running.
"P C Allen" was built in Germany in 1912, for use in a chemical works in Spain.
Local
Eat and Drink
- Woburn Brasserie - Woburn (5.8 miles) - “Beautiful food, excellent service” Delicious dishes, relaxed atmosphere & friendly service awai...
- The eight belles - Milton keynes (6.9 miles) - Welcome to The Eight Belles 1940's style pub in Bletchley We are a pub with a difference incorpora...
- Forest of Marston Vale - Marston Moretaine (8.1 miles) - The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park is a charity run visitors centre in the heart of the For...
- Thrift Farm - Milton Keynes (8.5 miles) - At Thrift Farm there is so much for you to see and do. Spread over a 52 acre working farm our attrac...
- Clary's Bar & Grill - Central Milton Keynes (10.1 miles) - Clary's Bar & Grill is situated inside The Casino MK, and delivers top quality dining and fine w...
See and Do
- Leighton Buzzard Railway Leighton Buzzard (0.0 miles) - Most people, when they think of narrow-gauge steam railways, think quite rightly of the scenic lines...
- Rushmere Country Park Heath and Reach (2.3 miles) - Rushmere Country Park is managed by environmental charity The Greensand Trust on a not for profit ba...
- Tilsworth Golf & Conference Centre Leighton Buzzard (3.4 miles) - All our facilities are open to the public. Facilities available are a Golf Course, Driving Range, Go...
- The Heritage Park, Pitstone Green Museum Pitstone (5.6 miles) - A registered charity, and accredited museum, we are run entirely by unpaid volunteers, displaying an...
- The Heritage Park, Pitstone Green Museum Pitstone (5.6 miles) - We are a museum, housed in the redundant buildings of an old Victorian Farm. We are a registered cha...
Shopping
- Waterperry Gardens - Oxford (21.8 miles) - Just a stone's throw from historic Oxford and within easy reach of London nestles Waterperry Gar...
